Two experienced politicians, former state and city lawmaker Ron Menor and current State House Minority leader Val Okimoto, are in a runoff for the open district eight seat on the Honolulu City Council which runs from Waimalu to Mililani. Meanwhile, Democrat Natalia Hussey-Burdick and Republican Kathy Thurston face off in the race for State House District 50 covering parts of Kāneʻohe and Kailua in Windward Oʻahu.

Two candidates running for office the first time were the top two vote-getters in the primary election out of a field of five for the Honolulu City Council seat representing District Two, which runs from Kahaluʻu on the Windward side of Oʻahu to Waikele in Central Oʻahu. Makuakai Rothman and Matt Weyer are now in a runoff in the November 8 General Election. And veteran Democratic lawmaker Gil Riviere faces Republican challenger Brenton Awa for Senate District 23 representing Windward Oʻahu, the North Shore and part of Central Oʻahu.

There were no incumbents in two of the seats up for election in the Maui County Council this election season and now both races are headed to a runoff in November. Nara Boone faces Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins for the seat representing Makawao, Haʻikū and Pāʻia while Tom Cook squares off against Robin Knox for the South Maui seat.

With the primary election over, attention has turned to the General Election in November. In Honolulu City Council District 6 which includes Nuʻuanu, Kalihi and Downtown, Tyler Dos-Santos Tam faces Traci Toguchi in a runoff. In State House District 39 covering parts of ʻEwa, Waipahu and Kunia, Democrat Cory Rosenlee takes on Republican Elijah Pierick.

After weeks of campaigning, the ballots are in for the Primary Election. So, did Hawaiʻi voters show up? We’ll take a look at turnout across the state and any voting issues that popped up. Plus, with several hotly contested races, who won and who lost? For the candidates who are advancing to the general election, the fight isn’t over yet, as they get ready to face new opponents in the November 8 General Election.

This year, all 76 seats in the Hawaiʻi Legislature are up for grabs because of redistricting. We talk with candidates in the Republican primary for Senate District 6, Philip Raya and Sheila Walker. The district covers parts of West and South Maui. There is no incumbent in the race. On Oʻahu, two veteran lawmakers, Gregg Takayama and Roy Takumi are facing off in the Democratic primary for House District 34 in Pearl City after their districts were merged.

Eight candidates battle for the most crowded county race including Mayor Michael Victorino, who's seeking a second four-year term.

Several seats in the State Senate are up for grabs this election year as long-time incumbents retire. Three democrats, newcomers Shaina Forsyth and Tamara Goebbert and State Rep. Angus McKelvey are looking to make the general election ballot in the District 6 race, which represents portions of South and West Maui. On Oʻahu, the Democratic primary for the District 11 (Mānoa – Makiki Heights) seat pits newcomer Ian Ross against veteran politician Carol Fukunaga.

The re-drawing of legislative districts due to shifts in population has created challenging election contests across the state this year. On Hawaiʻi Island, incumbents Laura Acasio and Lorraine Inouye face Wil Okabe in the Democratic Primary for District 1, that includes Hilo and part of the Hamakua Coast. Acasio and Okabe will face off in a live format. On Oʻahu there is no incumbent in Senate District 19 which covers parts of Pearl City, Waipahu and ʻEwa. State Representative Henry Aquino faces newcomer Roger Clemente in the Democratic Primary.

This week’s INSIGHTS features two Neighbor Island mayoral races:   –At 8:00 pm, it’s the candidates in the race to become the first new Maui County Mayor in eight years. Maui County Council woman Elle Cochran and former councilman Mike Victorino emerged as the top two candidates from an eight-person primary.